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Original Article

Petrolatum and other hydrophobic emollients reduce UVB-induced damage

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Pages 3-7 | Published online: 12 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Emollients are well known to benefit dry and inflamed skin. We wished to evaluate the therapeutic effects of various emollients on acute and chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation photodamage. Albino hairless mice were treated with petrolatum, Vaseline petroleum jelly (VPJ), mineral oil, lanolin, cold cream and sun protection factor-2 (SPF-2) sunscreen. The UV source was a bank of Westinghouse FW tubes (peak emission at a wavelength of 313 nm). Chronic studies assessed protection against tumorigenesis and dermal damage. Protection against sunburn-cell formation was also assessed. Striking inhibition of tumorigenesis was found with VPJ (by about 95%) add lanolin (by about 54%) whereas mineral oil greatly enhanced tumorigenesis (by about 40%). VPJ was also protective against dermal damage and it reduced the number of sunburn cells. With an SPF of about 2, it is likely that some of the VPJ protection was due to sunscreening. However, the fact that VPJ applied post-UV-irradiation reduced the incidence of tumours by 21%, together with the suppression noted with the emollient lanolin which is not a sunscreen, suggests other mechanisms.

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